Featured Audience Ratings

• Anthony L

  
  William Goldman is a brilliant writer. Combine that with the directing talent of Richard Attenborough and the acting talent of Anthony Hopkins and the wonderful and still sorely missed Burgess Meredith and you have the recipe for a near perfect film. By far my favourite horror based… More
  William Goldman is a brilliant writer. Combine that with the directing talent of Richard Attenborough and the acting talent of Anthony Hopkins and the wonderful and still sorely missed Burgess Meredith and you have the recipe for a near perfect film. By far my favourite horror based on Schizophrenia (there seems to be many these days). Corky/Fats is far frightening than Hannibal and Chucky put together in my opinion. A great film from an era that I particularly enjoy, the late 70's produced some ace films!

• Megan S

  
  Not too bad actually. Anthony Hopkins was good at being creepy before Silence of the Lambs. Not really a "horror" film more just creepy.

• AJ V

  
  This story has been seen over and over, there is an episode of the Twilight Zone and about three movies with the story before this movie came out. Obviously it is predictable and overacted, and I wouldn't recommend seeing it.

• Curtis L

  
  I've always had a fascination with dummys, and a fear of them. Mix a super creepy one with Anthony Hopkins and you've got a winner! The interplay between the two characters was gold. I really liked what it was about (eventually), it was unique and reminded me a bit of… More
  I've always had a fascination with dummys, and a fear of them. Mix a super creepy one with Anthony Hopkins and you've got a winner! The interplay between the two characters was gold. I really liked what it was about (eventually), it was unique and reminded me a bit of Gollum.

• Luke B

  
  Magic is a film I have been wanting to see for years. But every time I picked up the DVD I, for some reason, decided against it. Finally I watched it and it is one of the most incredible, terrifying and moving films ever made. When it comes to horror you need great talent like this.… More
  Magic is a film I have been wanting to see for years. But every time I picked up the DVD I, for some reason, decided against it. Finally I watched it and it is one of the most incredible, terrifying and moving films ever made. When it comes to horror you need great talent like this. Not the cliche teens and 2D characters of today. A great actor, great director and great writer, combine their forces for a powerful and chilling tale. Hopkins plays a shy man who has dreams of being a successful magician. We are introduced via one of the best opening scenes ever shot. It has Hopkins lying about how well his first performance went. As his voice over contrasts with the on screen visuals, we immediately understand Hopkins' motivations. Once his puppet comes into picture everything changes. Hopkins is confident, he has success, but all is not well. As the film progresses the puppet begins to look and sound more like Hopkins (who does an excellent job as the voice of Fats) and it is Hopkins that becomes the puppet. The film may be light on kills and gore but it work because it spends time building upon those that will be killed. Each kill can be felt and has consequences emotionally for those in the story. It's also a love story. Perhaps the most tragic and horrific love story since King Kong. Hopkins (in easily his best role) creates someone who is scary and sympathetic. He captures the shyness of Corky, the malevolence of Fats but most of all he never lets us forget that they are one in the same. The human love story is also sweet, tragic and brutally honest. Ed Lauter plays the husband of the Ann-Margaret and even he is given his dues. He's not the alcoholic wife beater he could have been. He may be jealous but his actions are understandable. The film is a horror, psychological drama and heart shattering romance all at the same time. It also shows the cooperative nature of film. Take away or change one element and it probably would have failed. Whether that be the wonderfully designed dummy, the haunting score or the performances. The film relies on everyone and everyone has done their job damn well. Simply amazing.

• Tim S

  
  Very tight thriller with a great ending. One of Anthony Hopkins' Best Performances Ever!

• Lafe F

  
  The #1 creepy puppet movie. A great psychological study of a ventriloquist who has gone insane. The setting of the remote lake house wasn't very interesting. It was hard to believe that Ann-Margret would be married to Ed Lauter. The scene where Burgess Meredith was ordering the… More
  The #1 creepy puppet movie. A great psychological study of a ventriloquist who has gone insane. The setting of the remote lake house wasn't very interesting. It was hard to believe that Ann-Margret would be married to Ed Lauter. The scene where Burgess Meredith was ordering the puppet not to speak for one full minute was expertly directed to build great tension. It's spooky indeed. The trailer was scary as heck.

• Danny R

  
  A gripping and disturbing tale based on the best selling novel by William Goldman which is marvelously directed by Sir Richard Attenborough. Sir Anthony Hopkins is absolutely mesmerizing in a virtuoso performance that truly demonstrates his extraordinary range, he plays a Corky a… More
  A gripping and disturbing tale based on the best selling novel by William Goldman which is marvelously directed by Sir Richard Attenborough. Sir Anthony Hopkins is absolutely mesmerizing in a virtuoso performance that truly demonstrates his extraordinary range, he plays a Corky a tormented ventriloquist & magician who dominated by his vicious dummy named Fats, who manipulates him into to a series of violent and deadly confrontations all leading to a shocking conclusion. It's edgy and suspenseful with terrific supporting performances from Ann Margret in a fine turn as Corky's lost love Peggy Ann Snow; and Burgess Meredith is a standout in a truly exceptional performance as Corky's agent Ben Greene. A haunting psychological horror story. Highly Recommended.

• Chris B

  
  Suspenseful, terrifying and genuinely disturbing all contained in a 106 minute film. Anthony Hopkins delivers another amazing performance as a ventriloquist who is controlled by his dummy in more ways than one. The film is definitely worth a watch.

• Patrick D

  
  This is one of those films that defy genre. Yet if I had to, I'd put it in horror. An effing creepy film that gets under your skin, and for those who don't like dummies, well, aren't gonna like them any more. It's definitely a build, type of film that starts off… More
  This is one of those films that defy genre. Yet if I had to, I'd put it in horror. An effing creepy film that gets under your skin, and for those who don't like dummies, well, aren't gonna like them any more. It's definitely a build, type of film that starts off innocent enough, then slowly tips, but you won't be disappointed as you get an uneasy feeling from the very beginning. It's nice to see a young Hopkins as his stardom seem to come in his elder years and really he's an amazing actor, there's no doubt that he is one of the fact that make this film.

• Donna D

  
  It's been nearly 29 years since I seen this movie. The phobia against Ventriloquist dolls has seem to faze me at this moment. Magic is one of the early 70's thrillers which stars the great Anthony Hopkins in his young years. Starring as Corky the ventriloquist that has a… More
  It's been nearly 29 years since I seen this movie. The phobia against Ventriloquist dolls has seem to faze me at this moment. Magic is one of the early 70's thrillers which stars the great Anthony Hopkins in his young years. Starring as Corky the ventriloquist that has a slight condition that seems to make his alter ego "Fats" the dummy his only companion in this chiller. Anthony Hopkins is as sinister as his Hannibal the Cannibal character, as he makes "Fats" become his murderous self as he kills unmercifully in this thriller. Great 70's classic.

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